Key Highlights
- The 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show marks its 150th year.
- Over 3,000 dogs from all 50 states and 17 additional countries will compete.
- This year’s event includes the largest entries by breed, with Golden Retrievers leading the pack.
- The competition consists of seven breed groups with a final Best in Show round at Madison Square Garden.
Westminster’s 150-Year Journey: A Canine Classic
You might think this is new, but the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is celebrating its 150th year. Started in 1876 by a bunch of dog lovers, it’s now one of the most prestigious events in the canine calendar.
The Big Numbers
Over 3,000 champion dogs from all corners of the U.S., plus 17 other countries, will be vying for top honors. This year’s competitors include Golden Retrievers (52), French Bulldogs (48), and Labradors (35). The newest breed, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, has 12 entries.
The Competition Structure
Competition starts with individual breed groups. Each group’s winner then competes in a semifinal round before the final Best in Show showdown at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening. This year, the Sporting group leads with 440 entries, followed by Herding (385), Working (367), Toy (360), Hound (356), Non-Sporting (297), and Terrier groups (295).
Who Judges the Best in Show?
In this milestone year, David Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania will judge Best in Show. He’s no stranger to Westminster, having won twice with his Pekingese dogs.
The stakes are high for all these canines and their handlers. The winners get bragging rights and trophies. Agility and obedience winners also earn a $5,000 donation to their choice of a training club or the American Kennel Club Humane Fund.
